How many parents fully understand their child's cognitive abilities, how their children learn individually, what talents they have, what learning difficulties they are met with and if their child has such conditions like ADHD, Dyslexia or an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. As a mum I had no idea that my child was so gifted, no one highlighted it and during schooling it was bypassed. With the right support my daughter could have achieved way beyond any expectation. Perhaps you have a child who has a real gift, a talent and yet it is buried deep within a system that prevents it from growing. Your child may indeed be so talented it goes beyond even your understanding and no one can help your child and allow him/her to excel. What a waste!

I also had no idea my child had dyslexia, a language disorder or Autism and did not know this because, I didn't know I had Asperger's myself (was only diagnosed 6 months ago aged 37). Generation after generation are slipping through the net, how can I see my child's difficulties when they are mine as well, and I see our problems as normal. This is not rare. I am angered that no one knew me as a child, no one saw my struggles and no one tried to help. I am angered my daughter had a late diagnosis (aged 13) and I so desperately want to prevent this from happening to others. 

Teachers have so many constraints that they are unable to truly understand their pupils and help them individually. There are some very passionate teachers out there that are suffocated by a system that stops them from giving their pupils what they need. We blame the teachers if our children do not meet what we expect as parents. It's the system that fails everyone, not the teachers themselves (I'm not suggesting all teachers are perfect). I feel there is too much focus on how a school performs (like with SATs testing) and not enough focus on the children.

So many people are being misdiagnosed with mental health conditions when in fact they have an autistic spectrum disorder that was never picked up as a child. Sometimes living with dyslexia and not having the right support can lead to a miserable life and cause poor self esteem. Being called unruly, a bad child, rude or simply a pain, can actually be ADHD and something a child has no control over. The subtler the symptoms the less likely the diagnosis. Some difficulties are masked and almost invisible. If a child is blind and walking without aids/support caused extreme stress, anxiety, worry etc, a school would put in measures to ensure that child's needs are met. If we do not understand the specific strengths and weaknesses of a child's learning, then they are expected to goto school and deal with extreme frustration, stress, anxiety and worry. Every child matters and every child's needs should be met. Not meeting a child's needs regardless of what they are, can cause so many negative emotions and in turn cause so many long term consequences. For some children, suicide is perceived to be the only option. 

By introducing FUN cognitive testing (and hopefully replacing SATs testing), children's abilities are highlighted. There difficulties are clear to see. The way they learn will be shown. Their absolute strengths, talents and gifts will be evident and a new chance will have been born, to develop our children's abilities. Success will occur and failure will stop. Confidence will grow and children will be given the very best chance in life, to achieve their personal best.

I am starting this petition in the hope to ultimately change the way our children are educated, to individually tailor lessons according to learning styles, to ensure children's talents are nurtured, to allow parents and teachers to gain understanding of their children's cognitive profile, and to ensure early diagnosis of learning difficulties as well as Autistic Spectrum Disorders. By putting in place the measures I have mentioned, long term, there will be children achieving their potential, children no longer being failed and by that I mean those both academic and those with difficulties. Schools will no longer need SATs testing as it will be clear if a child is not making progress or being taught according to their age, aptitude and ability. Long term, children will grow into adults with the confidence of knowing where their strengths are and what obstacles they will need to overcome. Children will understand themselves and will be able to realise any differences they have. Results will improve in schools and children will gain qualifications they can achieve. Less children/adults will require mental health treatments as early diagnosis will be there.

A few fun games (cognitive tests) could really change the way we see our children. The system will not be able to fail the academic or those with difficulties. The government will be held accountable if a child is not meeting personal targets. Parents would finally have a chance of standing up to the failings in our current education system. I do believe cognitive testing is far less stressful for a child than SATs testing. What parent wouldn't want to know the real abilities of their child. I sure did and now I have a better relationship with my child. Please help me make change and stop allowing our children to not reach their very best. Thanks for reading this :)